Moving From Toronto to Richmond Hill or Markham | Guide
Moving From Toronto to Richmond Hill or Markham: What Your Money Buys, What You Gain and What Changes
You have outgrown your Toronto condo. Or your semi-detached is bursting with a growing family. Or you are spending $3,500/month in rent and want to build equity instead. You have been looking at Richmond Hill and Markham because the numbers seem to work better up here. But you want to know what you are actually getting and what you are giving up. This guide covers the honest math, the real commute, the school comparison, the lifestyle shift and the neighbourhoods that feel closest to what you are leaving behind.
Quick takeaway: A Toronto semi-detached that sells for $1.3M in East York or the Danforth buys a 4-bedroom detached home on a 40-foot lot in Richmond Hill or Markham with a backyard, a double garage and change left over. York Region schools consistently outperform Toronto schools in provincial rankings. The commute trade-off is real: 45 to 75 minutes by GO or car depending on neighbourhood and time of day. The lifestyle shift is from urban walkability to suburban space, nature and community. In a buyer's market with 6.5 months of inventory in Richmond Hill and 4.49 months in Markham, families moving from Toronto have more negotiating leverage than they have had in years.
Table of Contents
- What Your Toronto Money Buys Up Here
- The Honest Commute Reality
- How Schools Compare
- The Lifestyle Shift: What You Gain and What Changes
- Neighbourhood Matching: Find Your York Region Equivalent
- Why 2026 Is the Right Time to Make the Move
- Your Move-Up Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Your Toronto Money Buys Up Here
The single biggest reason families move from Toronto to York Region is space per dollar. The same budget that buys a 2-bedroom condo in midtown Toronto buys a freehold townhome in Markham. The same budget that buys a semi-detached in East York buys a 4-bedroom detached in Richmond Hill. The math is that stark.
| Your Toronto Budget | What It Buys in Toronto | What It Buys in Richmond Hill / Markham |
|---|---|---|
| $550,000 - $700,000 | 1-bed condo (600-700 sq ft, Yonge/Eglinton or North York) | 2-bed condo (700-900 sq ft) or condo townhome with garage in Markham or Richmond Hill |
| $800,000 - $1,000,000 | 2-bed condo (800-1,000 sq ft) or small 2-bed freehold in the east end | 3-bed freehold townhome with backyard and garage in Cornell, Greensborough or Langstaff |
| $1,000,000 - $1,300,000 | 2-3 bed semi-detached (Danforth, East York, Leslieville) | 4-bed detached home (1,800-2,500 sq ft) with double garage and backyard in Crosby, Oak Ridges, Milliken or Cornell |
| $1,300,000 - $1,800,000 | 3-bed detached (Birch Cliff, Leaside fixer, North York bungalow) | 4-5 bed detached (2,500-3,500 sq ft) in Rouge Woods, Jefferson, Berczy or Unionville with premium lot |
| $1,800,000+ | Renovated 3-4 bed detached in established Toronto neighbourhood | Executive home in South Richvale, Bayview Hill, Angus Glen or Cachet with luxury finishes and estate-scale lot |
The price gap is most dramatic in the $1M to $1.5M range. A Toronto family selling a 900-square-foot semi in Leslieville for $1.2M can purchase a 2,500-square-foot detached home in Richmond Hill's Jefferson neighbourhood or Markham's Berczy on a 40-foot lot with a double garage, a finished basement and a backyard large enough for children to actually play in. They walk away with more bedrooms, more storage, a garage they did not have and, in many cases, money left over for renovations or savings.
The Honest Commute Reality
The commute is the trade-off. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not being honest. Here is what it actually looks like.
| From | To Downtown Toronto (Union) | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Langstaff / South Richmond Hill | 50-60 min | YRT 99 Express to Finch subway + Line 1 |
| Langstaff GO Station | 35-45 min | GO Train (Richmond Hill line) |
| Mill Pond / Richmond Hill GO | 40-50 min | GO Train (Stouffville line from nearby Unionville) |
| Oak Ridges | 65-75 min | Transit (bus + subway) or 45-60 min by car |
| Unionville (Markham) | 45-55 min | GO Train (Stouffville line, express 45 min) |
| Greensborough (Markham) | 50-60 min | Mount Joy GO station |
| Highway 404 (any RH/Markham) | 35-45 min off-peak, 65-80 min rush | Car via 404/DVP |
The key insight most Toronto families miss: the commute matters less than you think if you choose the right neighbourhood for your work situation. If both partners work downtown, live near a GO station (Langstaff, Unionville, Mount Joy). If one works in Markham's tech corridor and the other works downtown, Richmond Hill's central position puts both within 25 to 45 minutes. If you work from home even 2 to 3 days per week (which is now standard in many industries), the commute drops to a few times per week rather than a daily grind.
And one thing is coming that changes the calculus permanently: the Yonge North Subway Extension is in active construction. When complete, it will extend Line 1 from Finch to Richmond Hill Centre (Highway 7 and Yonge). That transforms southern Richmond Hill from a bus-to-subway commute into a single-seat subway ride to downtown. Properties near the future stations are already pricing in some of this, but the full impact will unfold over the next decade.
How Schools Compare
This is where York Region pulls decisively ahead of Toronto. York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) consistently rank among Ontario's highest-performing school districts. Markham schools dominate provincial rankings with multiple schools scoring above 9 out of 10 on Fraser Institute assessments.
| Factor | Toronto (TDSB) | York Region (YRDSB) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall EQAO Performance | Mixed (wide variance by neighbourhood) | Consistently above provincial average |
| Top-Ranked High Schools | Several (Northern SS, Earl Haig, AY Jackson) | Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS (#12 ON), Bayview SS (IB), St. Augustine CHS (#1 ON), Richmond Hill HS |
| French Immersion | Available, high demand, lottery system | Available, less competitive entry in many catchments |
| School Overcrowding | Common in desirable catchments | Less common, newer schools in growing communities |
| Key Advantage | Specialized programs (arts, STEM magnets) | Higher average performance across the board |
For families with school-age children, this is often the deciding factor. In Toronto, getting into a strong school catchment often means paying a premium that prices you into a small home. In Richmond Hill and Markham, strong schools are the norm rather than the exception. You get both the space and the school quality. Specific standouts: Berczy in Markham (Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS), Cachet (St. Augustine CHS, #1 in Ontario), Jefferson in Richmond Hill (Bayview Secondary IB program) and Rouge Woods (Richmond Green SS).
The Lifestyle Shift: What You Gain and What Changes
What You Gain
Space. A backyard. A garage. A basement. Storage. Room for a home office. Room for children to play indoors and outdoors. This is the most visceral difference and the one families feel on day one.
Nature. The Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Wilcox, Toogood Pond, Rouge National Urban Park, 150+ km of trails. York Region offers outdoor access that does not exist in the Toronto core. Families who value hiking, cycling, skating and lake activities will feel the upgrade immediately.
Safety and quiet. Richmond Hill and Markham consistently rank among Ontario's safest communities. The pace is slower, the streets are quieter and the neighbourhood dynamics are oriented toward families rather than nightlife.
Community. Active recreation centres, libraries, community events and sports leagues. Richmond Hill's 56,000-square-foot Oak Ridges Community Centre and Markham's multiple community centres offer programming that is less crowded and more accessible than equivalent Toronto facilities.
What Changes
Walkability decreases. You will need a car for most daily errands. Grocery stores, schools and activities are typically a short drive, not a short walk. The exceptions are walkable pockets like Unionville Main Street in Markham and the Yonge Street corridor in Richmond Hill, but even these are not comparable to Toronto's density of shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Dining and nightlife thin out. Richmond Hill and Markham have excellent restaurants (particularly Asian cuisine, which is world-class in Markham), but the density and variety of Toronto's food scene does not replicate. If your social life revolves around downtown bars and restaurants, you will feel the change.
Transit becomes less convenient. Toronto's TTC runs frequently across a dense network. York Region Transit serves a larger geography with fewer routes and lower frequency. If you do not drive, transit-oriented living is possible near GO stations but requires planning and trade-offs.
Cultural institutions are less accessible. Museums, galleries, live music venues and major cultural events are concentrated in Toronto. You can still access them, but it becomes a planned outing rather than a spontaneous walk. Many families find this trade-off acceptable once their children's activities become the centre of weekend life.
Neighbourhood Matching: Find Your York Region Equivalent
| If You Love This in Toronto | You Will Like This in York Region | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Leslieville / Riverdale (walkable, community feel) | Unionville, Markham | Historic Main Street, boutique shops, Toogood Pond, walkable centre, GO station. The closest thing to a Toronto village vibe in York Region. |
| High Park / Bloor West (nature + family) | Oak Ridges, Richmond Hill | Lake Wilcox, Moraine trails, 56K sq ft community centre, outdoor lifestyle. More nature access than High Park with less crowding. |
| Leaside / North Toronto (established, schools) | Berczy or Jefferson | Top-ranked schools, established tree-lined streets, family-oriented community, similar demographic. Significantly lower price per sq ft. |
| North York condos (urban, transit) | Langstaff corridor / Yonge & Hwy 7, Richmond Hill | Condo density along Yonge, future subway station, VIVA transit. The most urban-feeling part of York Region. |
| Scarborough (multicultural, value) | Milliken / Commerce Valley, Markham | Similar cultural diversity, excellent Asian restaurants and groceries, more affordable entry points, newer housing stock. |
| Rosedale / Forest Hill (luxury) | South Richvale / Bayview Hill or Cachet / Angus Glen | Estate-scale lots, custom homes, premium finishes. The price per square foot is substantially lower than Toronto's luxury tier. |
Why 2026 Is the Right Time to Make the Move
Three forces are converging to create a window that did not exist before and may not last.
Buyer's market pricing. Richmond Hill has 6.5 months of inventory. Markham has 4.49 months. Detached homes are selling at 95-98% of asking price with 30 to 40+ days on market. You have leverage to negotiate price, conditions and closing timelines. In 2021, you competed against 10 offers and waived conditions. In 2026, you set the terms.
Toronto equity still holds. While York Region has softened more than Toronto in percentage terms, Toronto home values have also adjusted but remain higher relative to square footage. Selling a Toronto home at current values and buying in York Region at buyer's-market prices maximizes the spread between what you sell and what you buy. That spread translates directly into more home, lower mortgage or cash reserves.
Infrastructure is coming. The Yonge North Subway Extension will connect Richmond Hill to the TTC subway network. The Stouffville GO line continues to expand service. These infrastructure investments have long-term property value implications that are not yet fully priced into current values. Families who buy near future transit now are positioning for appreciation as these projects complete.
Your Move-Up Checklist
Step 1: Get your Toronto home assessed. Understand your current equity and realistic sale price before you start shopping. Your York Region budget depends entirely on what your Toronto home sells for.
Step 2: Get pre-approved for your next mortgage. Your mortgage qualification determines your purchasing power. Talk to a broker before falling in love with a home you cannot afford.
Step 3: Define your priorities. Schools? Commute? Space? Nature? Budget? Rank them. The neighbourhood that delivers your top two priorities is the right one even if it does not deliver all five.
Step 4: Tour York Region neighbourhoods. Drive them on a Saturday morning and a Tuesday evening. Walk the streets. Visit the schools. Eat at the restaurants. The feeling of a neighbourhood matters as much as the data.
Step 5: Coordinate your sell and buy. In a buyer's market, you have options. You can sell first and rent while you shop (eliminates bridge financing risk). You can make your offer conditional on the sale of your Toronto home (more sellers are accepting this in 2026). Or you can buy first if your finances support carrying two properties temporarily. Your agent should guide you through the timing strategy that fits your situation.
Step 6: Work with an agent who knows both markets. Selling in Toronto and buying in York Region requires an agent who understands pricing, timing and negotiation dynamics in both markets. At Kirby Chan & Co., we help families navigate the full sell-and-buy process across the GTA.
Recognition
Kirby Chan Awards and Achievements
๐ #1 Individual Producer in Ontario for eXp Realty 2023
๐ Top 3 Best Rated Real Estate Agent in Richmond Hill
๐ Toronto Star Platinum Award for Best Real Estate Agent
๐ Top Real Estate Agent Award in Markham
๐ 2X ICON Agent Award with eXp Realty
๐ 2025 Community Votes Platinum Award, Thornhill
๐ 2024 Community Votes Platinum Award, Thornhill
๐ 2025 Gold Award for Real Estate Brokers in Markham
๐ 2024 Community Votes Bronze Award, Richmond Hill
๐ 2023 Community Votes Platinum Award, Thornhill
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more home do I get in Richmond Hill or Markham versus Toronto?
At the $1M to $1.3M price point, you typically get 2 to 3 times the square footage plus a garage, backyard and finished basement. A $1.2M semi in East York becomes a $1.2M 4-bedroom detached in Richmond Hill or Markham with significantly more space, storage and outdoor area.
How long is the commute from Richmond Hill to downtown Toronto?
By GO Train from Langstaff GO: 35-45 minutes to Union Station. By YRT bus to Finch subway: 50-60 minutes total. By car via Highway 404/DVP: 35-45 minutes off-peak, 65-80 minutes during rush hour. Neighbourhoods near GO stations offer the most predictable commute times.
Are York Region schools really better than Toronto schools?
On average, yes. YRDSB consistently outperforms TDSB on EQAO standardized assessments and Fraser Institute rankings. The advantage is that strong schools are distributed more evenly across York Region, whereas Toronto's top schools are concentrated in expensive catchments. You get both the space and the school quality.
Should I sell my Toronto home before buying in York Region?
It depends on your financial situation. Selling first eliminates bridge financing risk but means you may need temporary housing. Making your York Region offer conditional on the sale of your Toronto home is increasingly accepted in the current market. Your agent should advise on the timing strategy that matches your risk tolerance.
Will I miss the walkability of Toronto?
Probably, at least initially. Richmond Hill and Markham are car-dependent for most daily errands. Unionville in Markham is the most walkable neighbourhood with its Main Street shops and restaurants. The Yonge corridor in Richmond Hill offers some walkability. Most families find that the trade-off (more space, nature, safety, schools) outweighs the lost walkability within 6 to 12 months.
What about the Yonge North Subway Extension?
The extension is in active construction and will connect Richmond Hill Centre (Highway 7 and Yonge) to the TTC subway network. When complete, it transforms southern Richmond Hill commuting. Properties near the future stations are already beginning to price in the improvement. Buying near the corridor now positions you for long-term appreciation as the project progresses.
Who can help me navigate the move from Toronto to York Region?
Kirby Chan and the Kirby Chan & Co. Real Estate Team help Toronto families make the transition to Richmond Hill, Markham and York Region every month. From assessing your Toronto home's value to identifying the right York Region neighbourhood for your priorities, the team guides the full sell-and-buy process. Reach Kirby at (416) 305-8008.
Contact Kirby ChanThinking About Making the Move?
The families who transition most smoothly from Toronto to York Region are the ones who plan the move before they feel forced into it. Understanding your Toronto equity, knowing exactly what it buys up here and having a timing strategy for the sell-and-buy process turns an overwhelming decision into a clear one.
Book a consultation with Kirby Chan to discuss your Toronto home's value, explore York Region neighbourhoods that match your priorities and build a transition plan that works for your family.
Kirby Chan | Kirby Chan & Co. Real Estate Team
416-305-8008
info@kirbychanandco.com
https://kirbychanandco.com
Note: Pricing, commute times and school rankings reflect general conditions as of early 2026 and may vary. Commute times are estimates based on typical schedules and may differ due to service changes, traffic and weather. This guide is for general information purposes only. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed real estate professional.
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